Posts Tagged ‘shave horse’

 

Do-It-Yourself Shave Horse Plans

Friday, March 14th, 2014

Do-It-Yourself Shave Horse Plans - Handyman

If you’re interested in woodcraft or working with green wood for your wood projects, then you may want to have your own shave horse. Just like how any good carpenter requires the right set of carpentry tools, a woodworker also needs certain tools such as a shave horse to create a range of projects. It’s a brilliant tool that has been used by woodworkers even before the dark ages until now. Why not try your do-it-yourself skills by taking on shave horse plans and build this tool yourself?

Why “shave horse”?

It’s called such because one has to mount it like a horse in order to operate it, and it’s used traditionally with a shaving tool known as a drawknife to turn a piece of wood into the desired shape with the right thickness.

What does it do?

The main job of a shave horse is to grip a round piece of wood so it can be worked on. Its ability to clamp on wood is powered by the user’s legs. Pushing on a foot bar at the underside of the horse makes it hold the wood positioned on the work area. Releasing the foot bar releases the wood as well.

What does it look like?

There are a number of shave horse plans with slightly different styles and variations. However, the basic design consists of a bench with legs (three-legged horses are more stable) that function as the base frame and seat for the horse. The other basic components are the foot bar, treadle frame, yoke and, of course, the hinged work area where the piece of wood is placed.

Need Carpentry Help?

Shave horses are easy to make if you already have some experience with woodwork. However, if you’re just starting out in this wonderful hobby, you may not have the skills yet to follow DIY shave horse plans. This shouldn’t stop you from owning one, though. Seva Call can help you find an experienced professional who can take your shave horse plans and build this tool for you just as you want it. Contact us now to start your search.

How to Use a Shave Horse

Friday, November 22nd, 2013

How to Use a Shave Horse - Handyman

A shave horse is a traditional tool that is used for green wood projects. The shave horse is used to hold a length of wood while that wood is being shaped and worked on with a spoke shave or drawknife. The shaving horse got its name from the fact that it is designed to resemble a horse, having legs and a flat surface that the user mounts in order to operate the tool.

Material Used

The ideal material used with a shave horse is green wood, which is any timber that has been recently cut or fallen from trees after a storm and not yet seasoned. Green wood is easy to shape using hand tools since it is soft, due to its high moisture content.

Using a Shave Horse

You’re probably wondering now how to use a shave horse.

1. First of all, a shave horse is foot operated to allow the hands of the woodworker to be free to shape a piece of wood.

2. To use it, the worker must first mount the bed or plank. From each side of the shave horse, there’s a bar extending from under it. The worker must place each foot on each of the bar’s end.

3. When the feet push the bar forward, the wood being worked on is clamped by a wedge above the bed against another bar. The wood is released when the feet are removed from the underside bar.

4. By adjusting the wedge, the worker can quickly reposition the wood as necessary during the shaving.

What Can You Make with a Shave Horse?

Now that you have an idea how to use a shave horse, you may be interested to give it a try to create your own wood projects. A shave horse is typically used to create round shapes from square wooden pieces. Some of the items commonly made using shave horses are chair legs, brooms, wooden spoons, walking sticks, and tent pegs.

Shave Horse Safety

One very important thing when learning how to use a shave horse is safety. It is quite safe to use as long as you learn its correct usage. Also, always be responsible if using any dangerous tool while on a shave horse. However, never use a circular saw while sitting astride a shave horse.

If you would like to have a shave horse built for you by a professional, let TalkLocal help you find the best professional. Contact us and we’ll get you in touch with competent professionals quickly and for free.